Chapter 88: An Unexpected Surprise

“Leave the city!”

Under the cover of night, after an indeterminate span of time, Fu Zihou finally spoke. Without hesitation, he led the way out of the city, sword in hand. Behind him, over two hundred burly men clad in armor, armed and ready, followed in his wake.

On the plains beyond, Yue Ming had already eliminated several rebel scouts, but rows of enemy soldiers patrolled the area near the riverbanks, torches flickering as they moved back and forth. Based on the training Yue Ming had received earlier in Shanggu and his understanding of the rebel forces, he knew that besides those carrying torches, there must be others on patrol without fire.

This was his greatest concern. Now that the army outside the city had completely encircled the Eastern City, they had no intention of giving the defenders any opportunity. Any hope of a surprise night attack was simply impossible.

“General, General Zhen has studied military strategy since childhood and is well-versed in formation tactics! We’ve interrogated the scouts, and they know nothing about the patrol soldiers outside the city!” In the dim light, Yue Ming reported to Fu Zihou as the latter and his group approached.

Xue Hong and Xing Ming, walking beside Fu Zihou, tensed upon hearing this. The fact that Lord Wei had entrusted him with nearly all the troops made it clear that Fu Zihou was no mere confidant; Zhen Zhair’s capabilities were recognized throughout the army. A nighttime raid was virtually out of the question.

Both Xue Hong and Xing Ming understood that not only they but everyone else had mentally prepared to be discovered by the enemy patrols. They expected a fierce clash, a desperate fight after being found, followed by an immediate retreat with Fu Zihou back to Eastern City. That was the least they could do to honor Fu Zihou's trust.

Recalling Fu Zihou’s earlier words about comradeship among men, many felt both amused and dismayed. They laughed at the notion that Fu Zihou regarded them as men of honor, and cried because there were those who truly believed they were. And that man was a general of the Sui Dynasty.

“Zhen Zhair is a master of formations! If Zihou were not skilled in military strategy, how could things have come to this? How could he have kept Zhen Zhair outside the city walls?” Fu Zihou said quietly in the darkness, addressing those behind him.

No one, including Yue Ming, Xue Hong, and Xing Ming, had expected this statement, but on reflection, it made sense. Whether in arranging the city’s defenses or on the battlefield itself, despite being at a disadvantage, Fu Zihou had never given the enemy a single chance.

“Follow me closely and obey my lead!” With that, Fu Zihou silently began to move across the plains under the cover of night.

More than two hundred men was neither too many nor too few. If they were elite troops, the right opportunity could turn the tide of battle. Yet, in the darkness, such a force was hardly conspicuous.

The cold winter wind swept across the unique mountainous terrain around Jinyang, and the plains by the Fen River were always chilled by the breeze. The surrendered soldiers following Fu Zihou felt surprised that throughout their journey, not a single torch-bearing or dark-robed night patrol had discovered them.

They walked intermittently—pausing, then moving on again. At first, their surprise was genuine, but as they ventured farther, with the rebel encampment looming in the distance and the darkness behind them swallowing the faint glow of Eastern City, a creeping fear began to settle in their hearts.

They had passed through the enemy’s outer defenses unscathed.

These defenses were personally arranged by General Zhen Zhair.

“Zhen Zhair is a master tactician! Had Zihou been unskilled…” The words repeated in their minds, and finally, each man realized the full weight behind that understated statement.

They now understood that the youth leading them was every bit as capable as the great General Zhen Zhair.

The earlier smoke by the moat, the encirclement—it was no stroke of luck, nor mere recklessness on the part of Tu Ye. From beginning to end, Tu Ye had been outmaneuvered by this young man.

Tu Ye’s death was just.

Their defeat was deserved.

Under the night sky, Fu Zihou felt the chill wind on his skin, his slightly labored breath betraying the calmness of his expression. Leading over two hundred men out of the city under cover of darkness was a gamble he was acutely aware of.

His palms and back were slick with sweat.

“Veer to the side!” Fu Zihou commanded, eyes fixed on the base of the distant mountains where campfires flickered.

Gazing upon the rebel encampment guarding the siege engines—catapults, battering rams, ladders—Fu Zihou estimated there were at least ten thousand enemy soldiers housed within. Even under the cloak of darkness, he refused to be reckless. Attempting to infiltrate the camp to destroy siege weapons with only two hundred men was madness.

Their presence so close was already a risk; a single torchlight or fire would bring the rebel patrols charging in immediately.

Flames at night were far too conspicuous.

“Brother-in-law! Why must we go to the forward camp at this hour? You haven’t rested properly in days!” A sword-bearer jeered as he led Xiang Yifeng’s horse.

The man’s words dripped with flattery, and the affectionate term “brother-in-law” revealed the relationship between Xiang Yifeng and the beauty resting in his arms.

“The great general has entrusted me with a heavy responsibility. Don’t ask so many questions! Just obey, and we shall surely gain glory. Hmph! If not for your sister, I wouldn’t have brought you along!” Xiang Yifeng snapped, fatigue etched on his face.

After days of relentless travel with little rest, rising early and working late, and recent intimacy with the woman in his arms, exhaustion weighed heavily on him. Yet the great general Zhen Zhair’s private trust thrilled him deeply.

That was why he insisted on traveling through the night to set an ambush as soon as possible.

Everyone in the army knew that once Lord Wei secured Taiyuan Commandery and entered Jinyang City, he would declare himself emperor. Since General Zhen had entrusted this mission to him, Xiang Yifeng intended to claim the credit alone, keeping it secret from others.

“When Lord Wei ascends the throne, and your brother distinguishes himself, he will be a meritorious officer, rewarded and honored. You’d better repay me well in the coming days!” Xiang Yifeng grinned, cradling the alluring woman.

Despite the constant revelry, Xiang Yifeng’s gaze lingered on the woman’s slender, pale legs, the curve of her waist, and her form. Desire stirred within him, drying his throat.

Xiang Yifeng knew full well that Tang Zhenhao, Yang Boyue, Qin Guangzhi, and others in the camp coveted this woman and longed to possess her.

“Mm~! General, rest assured!” Di Shi pouted, batting her eyelashes at Xiang Yifeng as his hands wandered inappropriately.

Escorted by torch-bearing rebel soldiers, Xiang Yifeng looked at Di Shi, eager to tear her clothes off on the spot—if only he could control himself.

...

Nearby, Yue Ming, Xue Hong, Xing Ming, and the others watched the great camp and sighed in awe.

Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they would never have believed that the great General Zhen Zhair, commanding over a hundred thousand troops outside the city, had arranged defenses that seemed utterly powerless before Fu Zihou.

No exaggeration: when they told this story later, it would astonish all who heard it—soldiers, citizens of Eastern City, and indeed all under heaven. Who could have imagined that, surrounded and outnumbered, Fu Zihou would personally lead them out at night, pass through enemy defenses, and survey the rebel forward camp?

That was audacity. That was courage.

Previously, in Eastern City, they had thought Fu Zihou’s solitary bravery was bold. When he said he would lead them out at night, they thought it was daring.

But now, standing in the cold wind, gazing at the rebel camp, they truly understood what it meant to possess foresight and resolve.

To regard tens of thousands of enemy troops as nothing—that was the essence of true courage.

These men, used to wielding blades and taking lives, rarely admired anyone truly. They had respected Fu Zihou’s deeds before, but now their reverence was different—it bordered on awe.

A true man respects only those with genuine skill.

And in their eyes, Fu Zihou’s courage and ability earned their deepest admiration.

They knew tonight’s exploits would be talked about throughout the land, and as men, they were proud to stand by Fu Zihou’s side.

In these chaotic times, it was better to live boldly than to die obscurely—unknown to family or friend. Such feats were the mark of a true man, not of a mere thief.

Not of a traitor whose death brought shame and silence to his family.

Under the night sky, among the two hundred men, even those like Yue Ming who had families fell silent.

“Do you think there’s wine in the camp? If I could get a few jars and drink with you all, I’d have no regrets,” Fu Zihou said suddenly, his eyes shining with excitement.

Yue Ming, Xue Hong, Xing Ming, and the others were startled. Fu Zihou wanted to enter the enemy’s forward camp to fetch wine?

Too reckless...

But then they realized where they stood. Strangely, no one thought Fu Zihou mad anymore.

Imagining the scene Fu Zihou described stirred their spirits; their hearts brimmed with heroism.

Fu Zihou was fearless.

What was there for them to fear?

If Fu Zihou were discovered, they would draw their swords and fight alongside him. If they could not escape, they would die together—such a death would be glorious, worthy of their lives.

“General, I’ll go with you!”

“General! Me too!” Xue Hong and Xing Ming stepped forward, smiles on their faces.

Chosen from the army’s ranks, these men were proud and never wished to appear cowardly before their comrades. Tonight’s ordeal made them especially sensitive to how others perceived their courage.

They did not know why they cared so much, but looking around at their peers and at Fu Zihou, none would tolerate being seen as afraid—not even by their general.

With scars fresh and heavy on their minds, these men did not want to return to who they were before.

Not even if it meant death.

“How many will go?” Fu Zihou, a disciple of Liu Zhiyuan, clearly sensed the change in Yue Ming, Xue Hong, and Xing Ming.

All risk was about to pay off.

Seeing their transformed gazes, Fu Zihou’s chest swelled with pride. Even he was stirred by their resolve.

The sharpest warriors despise being outmatched. Standing among fearless men, it was easy to be swept up in the moment.

No wonder Li Shimin always led from the front in history.

With only two hundred men, Fu Zihou dared not attempt a full-scale night raid on the rebel camp. If there were two thousand, he might have entertained the thought.

Just as he was about to test the enemy’s defenses with a small party, Fu Zihou noticed faint lights near the northern mountains.

At first, he thought it was a trick of the eye, but after a moment, he was certain people were approaching the forward camp—likely from the rebel base.

Thinking about fetching wine from the camp, Fu Zihou marveled at his luck; it was like having a pillow delivered to him in his drowsiness.

Deep into the night, Xiang Yifeng felt the cold wind of the plains after leaving the mountains and cursed softly, clutching the beauty tightly.

Suddenly, the torches around them flickered as the wind blew, dimming the light. At first, Xiang Yifeng paid no mind, but then screams and the sounds of bodies falling rang out.

“Hm?”

He thought it was a hallucination at first—after all, both the western and eastern parts of Jinyang were completely surrounded, their defenses arranged personally by General Zhen.

But in the flickering light, Xiang Yifeng saw soldiers dropping one by one.

Momentarily stunned by fatigue, he quickly widened his eyes.

“Enemies! Quick!”

He shouted, drawing his sword fiercely from behind him.

The rebel soldiers guarding him panicked, holding torches and swords, scanning the darkness as armored men suddenly appeared and attacked.

“Ah!”

“Ah!!”

The slaughter lasted only moments. When even the soldiers protecting Xiang Yifeng dropped their torches and tried to flee, chaos erupted.

Xiang Yifeng panicked, spurring his horse to flee, reckless of running into his own men.

In the next instant, his horse stumbled, and both he and the woman fell to the ground.

Di Xing, who had been fleeing, immediately knelt, hands raised.

“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me!” he trembled.

When the last fleeing rebel was slain, silence fell. Xue Hong picked up a still-burning torch and, sword dripping with blood, approached Di Xing.

Seeing the fallen rider was Xiang Yifeng, surprise filled the eyes of Xue Hong, Xing Ming, Yue Ming, and the others.

“General, this man is Xiang Yifeng—a true general!” Yue Ming informed Fu Zihou.

Not only Xiang Yifeng, but also the seductive woman beside him and Di Xing were known to them. The woman had long been the subject of much gossip, especially after rumors spread that Tu Ye had vowed to claim her at all costs.

“General?” Fu Zihou was taken aback. Why would a rebel general come here in the dead of night, leaving a warm bed to brave the cold with a woman?

“General, watch out!”

Before anyone could react, Xiang Yifeng lunged at Fu Zihou with his sword, striking with great force.

But Fu Zihou stepped forward calmly, blocking the blow with the scabbard—his sword still sheathed.

As Xiang Yifeng attempted another strike, Xing Ming kicked his leg from behind. Xiang Yifeng collapsed to his knees, and the burly Xing Ming grabbed his sword hand.

Others pressed swords to his throat.

“I know you. You were cavalry in the army before. Why rebel?” Xing Ming looked at him with recognition. Xiang Yifeng glanced at the strong man, then around at those surrounding him, eyes wide with horror.

The men surrounding him, ready to kill, were all former army cavalry!

How was this possible?

“If you kill him, the great general will reward you! Bring him to the barracks, and you will have endless wealth and honor!” Xiang Yifeng, terrified, tried to sway the others to his cause.

Among the crowd, Fu Zihou watched Xiang Yifeng’s attempts to incite rebellion without haste.

Tu Ye’s head had been displayed at Eastern City by Xing Ming’s men. These rebels were the ones Yue Ming and Xue Hong had slain. Even Xiang Yifeng was captured by them.

Xiang Yifeng’s words might fool the vile, but only if they believed they wouldn’t be punished later.

“What instructions did Zhen Zhair give you? I will question you inside the city, but now I want to know if you’ve sent people to capture their families?” Fu Zihou stepped forward and asked Xiang Yifeng directly.

Hearing this, those with families among Yue Ming’s group felt a flicker of warmth. Capturing a general, Fu Zihou asked not why he was here but whether they had sent men to seize their loved ones.

“I advise you to surrender the city early! Stop struggling in vain, and I may spare your life!” Xiang Yifeng sneered, his face twisted with malice as if he already envisioned Fu Zihou’s demise.

Fu Zihou frowned slightly. Seeing Xiang Yifeng silent, he glanced at the beautiful woman and then at Di Xing beside her.

“Do you know anything?” he asked Di Xing.

Timid by nature, Di Xing nodded quickly, confessing that Xiang Yifeng had spoken of General Zhen sending men to investigate their families.

Hearing this, Yue Ming and the others grew somber and worried.

“Hahaha! If you catch this Sui general, I promise your families will be spared!” Xiang Yifeng laughed cruelly, his face illuminated by the flickering torchlight as he looked at Yue Ming and the others.

“But now that you are gone, it will be your families who suffer!” Fu Zihou said coldly.

Xing Ming nodded in agreement, knowing well Xiang Yifeng’s ruthlessness. If allowed back to the camp, he would surely exact revenge.

“Since you are a general, I’m curious: if I use you to exchange for their families’ safe passage into the Western City, would Zhen Zhair agree?” Fu Zihou asked with a hint of curiosity.

Yue Ming and the others looked at Fu Zihou in astonishment.

Fu Zihou intended to trade Xiang Yifeng for their families?

Xiang Yifeng did not expect that this young Sui general would be willing to use him as a bargaining chip for the loyalty of the soldiers.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, he felt a surge of relief.

Looking at Fu Zihou, Xiang Yifeng thought the young man truly was inexperienced—willing to trade a general’s life to win over the troops.

Few in the world would dare such a gamble; most seasoned generals knew better.

“Take him away! If he speaks on the way back, cut out his tongue. If anyone finds out, kill him!” Fu Zihou ordered Xing Ming and the others as Xiang Yifeng quieted down.

The night was still, the cold wind blowing, and the shadow of war loomed heavily over the city.